A dangerous proposition

(Olivia’s POV)

The morning light filtered through the curtains, slicing through the darkened room like the remnants of the storm inside me. My eyes burned from the tears I had cried all night, my body heavy with exhaustion. The events of the previous night replayed in my mind like a broken record: James’s cold, dismissive stare; Samantha’s smug smile; the stranger’s cryptic words. I turned to the side of the bed and rubbed my hand on it as I remembered how I’d always wake up and see my James sleeping peacefully and I rush to make breakfast for him, trying my best to be the perfect housewife. I tried and knew I had done everything right but where had I gone wrong?! I was going to make sure that James and Samantha pays for what they have done, for all the sacrifices I had made.

The black card lay on the nightstand, its pristine edges mocking the chaos of my life. I picked it up, the embossed name staring back at me: Armando Moretti.

Who is he?

The question buzzed in my mind as I turned the card over, running my fingers along the sleek surface. His words had been simple, deliberate, and chillingly confident: If you want to take your revenge, call me.

I didn’t know what he meant. I didn’t even know what I wanted anymore.

But I knew one thing: I couldn’t keep living like this. I needed revenge and redemption.

Before I could change my mind, I picked up my phone and dialed the number. My heart pounded with each ring until, finally, a smooth, measured voice answered.

“Ms. Pierce,” he said, as if he had been expecting my call. “I had a feeling I’d hear from you.”

His confidence sent a chill down my spine. “You said you could help me,” I replied, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. “I want to know how.”

“Meet me at La Rochelle. Eight o’clock tonight,” he said. “We’ll talk then.”

And just like that, the line went dead.

By the time I arrived at La Rochelle, my nerves were frayed. The restaurant was the kind of place that reeked of exclusivity, with its polished mahogany, dim lighting, and soft piano music floating through the air. Wealth and power seemed to seep from the very walls.

I spotted him immediately. Armando Moretti sat at a corner table, his dark suit tailored to perfection, exuding an aura of quiet dominance. His gaze locked onto mine as I approached, sharp and unyielding. Last night I had see he had a sharp jawline and beautiful eyes but seeing him this time around made me realize he was even more handsome than I had thought.

“Ms. Pierce,” he greeted, standing as I reached the table. “I’m glad you came.”

“You didn’t exactly give me a choice,” I replied, my voice sharper than I intended.

He smirked, gesturing for me to sit. “Yet here you are.”

The waiter appeared almost instantly, pouring wine I didn’t ask for. I hesitated, wrapping my hands around the glass for something to hold onto.

“Why don’t you start by telling me why you were eavesdropping on my life?” I asked, my tone accusatory but my curiosity burning.

Armando leaned back, his sharp eyes studying me. “Your confrontation wasn’t exactly subtle,” he said smoothly. “And let’s just say I have an interest in people like James.”

“People like James?”

“Shallow. Greedy. Disloyal,” he replied, his voice clipped and cold. “Men who think they can take without consequence. Men who prey on the loyal, the trusting.”

His words cut deep, though I wasn’t sure if they were meant to.

“And you’re different?” I asked, crossing my arms.

He leaned forward, the soft light catching the sharp angles of his face. “I never claim to be a saint, Ms. Pierce. But I do know how to deliver justice where it’s deserved.”

I hesitated, the weight of his gaze unnerving. “What do you want from me?”

“It’s not about what I want,” he said, his tone low and deliberate. “It’s about what you need. Freedom. Independence. Revenge.”

The word hung in the air between us, heavy and intoxicating.

“I don’t need revenge,” I said, though my voice lacked conviction.

“Don’t you?” he countered, his dark eyes piercing mine. “Your husband humiliated you, betrayed you. He’s been siphoning your inheritance with Samantha for a long time, building his empire on your sacrifice. And now, he’s cast you aside like you mean nothing.”

“How do you know all of this?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Armando’s smirk returned, but this time, it was laced with something darker. “I make it my business to know. James Vale and I have crossed paths before. Let’s just say… I have unfinished business with him.”

The air between us felt thick, suffocating, but I couldn’t deny the pull of his words.

“What are you proposing?” I asked, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.

“I need a fiancée,” he said simply, as if it were the most logical thing in the world. “Someone who can help me secure my position and protect my assets. In exchange, I’ll ensure James is held accountable for every wrong he’s done to you. And I’ll make sure you never have to rely on anyone again.”

I stared at him, stunned. What kind of a person just sits and randomly wants a fiancee.“You want me to pretend to be your fiancée?”

“Precisely.”

The absurdity of it all made me laugh, but the sound was hollow, bitter. I thought he was joking but from his countenance I realized he wasn’t.

“Why me? Surely, you can find someone more… suitable for this. In fact I don’t have time for this. I thought you had something serious to offer. This was just a waste of time” I snapped as I was about to stand up angrily and disappointed.

Armando’s gaze softened, just slightly. “Because you’re loyal to a fault. You know how to play the part of a dutiful partner. And because you hate James enough to want to see him fall. Plus because you need to take revenge on Samantha and James because they fooled you from the onset. James never loved you to begin with, he only came into the picture because Samantha wanted to take your inheritance in a subtle way since your Dad transferred everything to your name before he died, leaving her with nothing”

My Jaw dropped drastically and my legs weakened. I couldn’t believe my ears. “What …. What are you talking about?” I stuttered with cold waving around me.

“I’m saying the truth which you were oblivious of. You were played all along and you were just a pawn. James and Samantha have been in a relationship for long before they decided to swindle your Dad with their plan but since it didn’t work that way, they used you instead. You were just too blinded by love to see through” Armando explained further.

My whole life had been a lie. Everything had been an elaborate plan. I was just a pawn in everything. Used and dumped like a rag. At that point I knew what I wanted and that thing was revenge.

I looked away, the truth of his words stinging more than I cared to admit. “How can you help with my revenge? And what happens after I get married to you and for how long?”

“Six months,” he said. “Long enough for me to secure what I need. After that, you’ll be free to go—with enough resources to start over and a clean slate to rebuild your life.”

I hesitated, every instinct screaming at me to walk away. But the image of James, his cruel words, and Samantha’s smug face flashed through my mind. The elaborate betrayal.

“I need time to think,” I said, my voice trembling.

“Of course,” Armando replied, his tone patient. “But don’t take too long, Ms. Pierce. Opportunities like this don’t come often.”

That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as Armando’s words echoed in my mind.

Freedom. Independence. Revenge.

Could I really do this? Could I trust a man like Armando? And what would it cost me if I didn’t?

The answers felt just out of reach, but one thing was certain: my life would never be the same.

I picked up my phone and dialed Armando’s number.

“I am ready” I said firmly as he picked up the call.